Posted on the 9th November 2026 in PHTM News
GLASGOW TAXIS COULD BE FORCED TO ACCEPT CARD PAYMENTS UNDER NEW COUNCIL RULES
Glasgow taxi drivers could soon be required to accept card payments after more than 80 per cent of people in a public consultation backed the change.
Councillors will meet on Wednesday 11 November to decide whether to introduce new licensing conditions requiring the city’s black cab drivers to carry working credit and debit card readers.
The proposal comes after growing complaints from passengers stranded without cash.
The public consultation, which ran between February and June this year, received 1,666 responses.
An overwhelming 83.16 per cent of respondents supported making card payments compulsory, with nearly 78 per cent strongly agreeing, while just over 14 per cent opposed the plan.
A council report prepared for the Licensing and Regulatory Committee noted: “Members will be aware from the consultation responses received that 83.16% of respondents were of the view that taxi drivers must accept payment of fares by credit/debit cards.”
Supporters argued that mandatory card payments reflect modern habits, cut late-night delays at taxi ranks, and boost passenger safety by creating digital transaction records.
Cash would still be accepted, giving passengers the choice of how to pay.
If approved, drivers will be allowed to pick their own payment providers, but draft rules specify they must check devices are working before taking fares and inform passengers immediately of any technical faults.
However, the proposal faces pushback from some taxi drivers who raised concerns over equipment costs, transaction fees, network outages, and the risk of unpaid fares from declined cards.
Opponents also argued self-employed drivers should retain the right to choose their accepted payment methods.
Glasgow’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee will consider the proposals at City Chambers on Wednesday morning and decide when any changes will come into force for new licences and renewals.
Read another story
- BURY COULD ALLOW WRITTEN OFF CARS TO BE LICENSED AS TAXIS OR PHVS
The proposals would relax the rules for Category N vehicles, which have non-structural damage, and Category S, which have structural damage but can legally return to the road once repaired.
- PROLIFIC NEWPORT OFFENDER JAILED AFTER THREATENING CABBIE AT KNIFEPOINT AND CAUSING CRASH
Leon Gladdis, 29, from Newport, was sentenced at the Isle of Wight Crown Court after admitting a series of dangerous offences across Devon and the Isle of Wight.
- ONE MISTAKE CAN COST YOUR LIVELIHOOD: STARK WARNING ISSUED AFTER OPERATOR LOSES LICENCE
A prominent taxi boss has warned drivers that a single mistake can destroy their livelihood after a major operator lost his licence.
- HONESTY AT ITS BEST WOLVERHAMPTON PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER RETURNS WALLET CONTAINING £610
A big well done to Dara Singh, a driver with Wednesfield Cars in Wolverhampton, who went out of his way to ensure a loyal customer was reunited with his money.
- HMRC HITS UBER WITH £26BN BILL AFTER IT ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO PAY TAX ON MILLIONS OF RIDES
The Telegraph reports that the tax authority has resurrected a dispute with the ride-hailing app concerning how much VAT the company should charge on rides.
- £1,074 FINE & 3 POINTS FOR ONE ILLEGAL TYRE
Liverpool City Council Enforcement Officers inspected a Sefton-licensed private hire vehicle near Liverpool John Lennon Airport in March.
- WOLVERHAMPTON LICENSED PH DRIVER HAILED A HERO AFTER RESCUING STRANDED MUM AND TODDLER
Post shared on Facebook: “Whoever this Gentleman is. You are a real life angel!!
- WELL DONE POPPY CABS SCOTLAND
This year 29 cabbies transported over 40 veterans to and from various remembrance day events across Edinburgh and the Lothians area.
- PHTM SO PROUD OF OUR TRADE AS CABS FOR VETERANS LINE WESTMINSTER BRIDGE
Hundreds of London black cabs lined Westminster Bridge on Sunday 8 November, waiting to take veterans home from the Cenotaph without charging a penny.
- BLACK CAB DRIVERS WELCOME DECISION TO MAKE BANK JUNCTION ACCESS PERMANENT
The area, located in the Square Mile, was previously restricted to pedestrians, buses,and cyclists between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, with taxis barred from entry.
- TAXI DRIVER SUSPENDED BY SOUTH OXON DC TO PAY £1,924 AFTER CONTINUING TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN
Tariq Mehmood, 48, of Reading, was found guilty in his absence at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 16 October 2026.
- TEENAGER SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER BEING RUN OVER BY HACKNEY CAB IN CORBY TOWN CENTRE
According to the Northampton Telegraph, the boy had been in the local taxi with a group of friends when an argument broke out between him and the driver.
- TAXI LICENCE SURGE DELIVERS FINANCIAL BOOST TO FAREHAM COUNCIL
The surge in hackney carriage applications was highlighted during an Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting on 26 October, where councillors reviewed the local authority’s latest financial performance.
- LONDON MAYOR WARNS OF CONGESTION AND MASSIVE JOB LOSSES AS ROBOTAXIS PREPARE TO ROLL-OUT
In a recent interview Khan argued that politicians have failed to grasp the sheer speed of technological change and insisted that TfL must be granted direct licensing powers to cap vehicle numbers.
- STIRLING COUNCILLORS APPROVE CONTROVERSIAL 11.7 PER CENT FARE HIKE DESPITE PUBLIC BACKLASH
Under the new structure, basic flag fall rates will rise: with Tariff One moving from £3.50 to £3.90, Tariff Two increasing from £4.10 to £4.60, and Tariff Three jumping from £5.60 to £6.20.
- JAILED: PASSENGER WHO TERRORISED SUNDERLAND CABBIE AT KNIFEPOINT, CRASHED CAB AND SET IT ALIGHT
Violent passenger, Alexander Hindmarsh, who threatened to stab a cabbie in the face and cut out his eyeballs during a terrifying knifepoint attack has been jailed for more than seven years.
- £1.1 BILLION A YEAR AVAILABLE FROM PRIVATE HIRE VAT, WITH NO NEW TAX RATE
Taxi Law has published research showing that approximately £1.1bn a year could be raised by applying VAT uniformly to private hire fares across the UK.
- STOCKTON CABBIE DENIED LICENCE FOLLOWING SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION
A long-serving private hire driver has failed in his bid to regain his licence following an alleged sexual assault, despite assuring councillors that police dropped the case without charge.
- COUNTERFEIT CASH SURGE LEAVES IPSWICH CABBIES OUT OF POCKET
Mo Ali, a local cabbie, revealed that the problem has escalated sharply in recent weeks, warning that passengers have been spotted carrying bags packed with counterfeit notes.
- WEST CUMBRIAN WOMAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER INTENTIONALLY STRANGLING CABBIE
Lindsay Scott appeared before Workington’s Magistrates’ Court, where she formally admitted three separate offences stemming from the events of 31 August.
All content Copyright © 2026
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited